From the priest to the artist, from the footballer to the child defending the cause of the poor, these seven personalities presented by Juno7 illustrate the diversity of talents who promote the country, its culture, and have made model commitments for Haitian society .
1. Joé Dwèt Filé, a hit, “4 Kanpe”, to improve the image of a country
Joé Dwèt Filé sings hits. Mega-hits. Songs that we learn by heart. Songs that we sing, hum, dance without even paying attention. Her two most popular titles are: “Fem voye” and “4 Kanpe”. Chance, if there ever was one, worked out well for an artist who has never denied his Haitian origins at the same time as he makes France dance. He imposes Kompa as a musical trend in France, attracting women, men and celebrities to chew the words of his songs, even if they do not understand a word of Creole.
To revisit is to do something new with an old twoubadou hit by Tonton Bicha. The formula works so well that Joé Dwèt Filé was asked to demonstrate his magic twice in a row, in front of 40,000 fans loving him at the Accor Arena in Paris. Haitian flag on his shoulders, the evenings reached their apotheosis with “4 Kanpe”. On TikTok and Instagram, his music is trending. In nightclubs, she stirs up crowds. She fills the dance floor. Joé Dwèt Filé created a real phenomenon with “4 Kanpe”, and many listeners agree on the addictive and heady dimension of the piece. That same year, he spoiled us with an EP entitled Goumin, where he recounts his heartaches through songs full of vulnerability, love and disappointments. The term “goumin” also means “heartache” in Nouchi, a slang of Ivorian origin.
2. Father Bernard Antoine, a new chapter for Saint-Joseph Oratory
A great man is not defined by his race or nationality. Father Bernard Antoine, a Haitian priest originally from Dondon, became in 2024 the 16th Religious of the Holy Cross to occupy the position of director at Saint-Joseph Oratory in Montreal since the origins of the sanctuary in the fall of 1904. As As the first Haitian to occupy the position of rector of the Oratory, Father Antoine embodies a symbol of openness and diversity. A remarkable achievement for this servant of the Catholic Church elevated to this position of leadership in the history of this emblematic place of worship.
Baptized on the feast of Saint Joseph, his spiritual life seems intimately linked to this saint. In 2017, Father Antoine left Haiti to join Saint Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal, where he quickly integrated into pastoral activities. In 2019, he was appointed vice-rector for pastoral care, a role in which he distinguished himself by his warm presence, his sense of listening and his ability to welcome. In Montreal, he quickly integrated himself into the pastoral team and contributed to strengthening the links between the Oratory and the city’s different cultural groups. His qualities earned him the respect and esteem of pilgrims and volunteers.
The life of Father Bernard Antoine is summed up by devotion and service. At age 20, he joined the Congregation of the Holy Cross and was ordained a priest in 1993. He began his career as a teacher at the Collège Notre-Dame du Perpétuel-Secours in Cap-Haïtien, then held various administrative positions, eventually becoming general manager. Its educational and pastoral commitment is manifested by the creation of the Center of the Holy Cross of Haiti. His journey is marked by a diversity of educational and spiritual experiences.
3. Corventina, the Haitian star who creates his place in world football
Melchie Daelle Dumornay is the best player in CONCACAF. She is the player with the most remarkable performance among the Americans who won the Paris Olympic Games, not counting the Canadians, Mexicans and Jamaicans.
This talented footballer is always decisive for her team, Olympique Lyonnais, which won the French Super Cup, the championship, and reached the final of the Champions League, won by FC Barcelona. For the current season, Corventina is in great shape and occupies an even more important place in the Lyon team. In the French championship, she has an impressive total of 10 goals and 2 assists in just 9 matches. Currently, she is the top scorer in this first part of the season with 12 goals in 14 matches (Championship and Women’s Champions League).
His talent does not go unnoticed. Melchie Dumornay is in the Top 30 best female footballers of the year 2024 according to The Guardian, ranking 29th on a prestigious list of 100 players.
4. Michaël Brun, an international ambassador of Haitian culture
Michaël Brun is an essential figure in Haitian music, promoting the country’s culture through his creations. This year, he once again placed Haitian music and culture in the spotlight with his collaboration with American superstar John Legend on a Kompa song entitled Safe, to which Rutshelle Guillaume also contributed her vocals. This project, hailed for its quality, is an immeasurable breakthrough when we consider the immense talent of John Legend and his prolific career.
Michaël Brun, this talented DJ and producer, has been promoting Haitian artists and groups for several years through his musical project “Bayo”. This year is definitely his. He landed a double nomination at the 2025 Grammy Awards, scheduled for February 2 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, United States. Michaël Brun is nominated in the categories “Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album” and “Best Música Urbana Album”, thanks to his collaborations with the Cuban artist Cimafunk and the Colombian singer J Balvin.
5. Job, the inspiring voice of deprived children
Hérard Job, known as Job “Zòn pa fè moun,” is a 14-year-old teenager, born August 15, 2010. He is one of the disadvantaged children supported by the Zòn pa fè moun foundation, directed by Luckson Jean. Despite losing his left hand, Job was able to overcome his handicap to reveal exceptional talent.
His song You Can Do It, produced in collaboration with maestro Salomon Lira Salil last September, marked the year by reaching a wide audience. This title, with a rather captivating Afrobeat feel, generated numerous challenges on TikTok and circulated in various circles, allowing Job to showcase his talent. The song’s video clip has more than 4 million views on the YouTube channel Frè Luckson Zòn pa fè moun.
6. Bedjine: A shining star of Haitian music in 2024
Bedjine has established herself as one of the essential figures of Haitian music. This year has been marked by artistic successes, consolidating her status as an imposing female voice in the music industry. The release of his very first album with his long-time collaborator, K-Dilak, MISYON AKONPLI, was a decisive and defining moment for the artist’s career. This project, awaited for years, includes flagship tracks like Kay Granmoun and Prefere. These titles, carried by powerful social themes and captivating melodies, confirmed the duo as the most listened to artists in the country and the diaspora.
With captivating performances and an acclaimed album, Bedjine has charmed those who love her voice, her tone, her lyrics and her curves. Her ability to touch on universal themes makes her an exceptional artist. In 2024, she has not regressed but continues her meteoric rise to the heights of a diva career.
Proclaimed “queen of the Haitian music industry” by Shabba, of the group EKIP, with whom she had a hit song, this declaration caused a stir and sparked lively debates and comparisons with Rutshelle. But, the two women, with powerful voices, catchy melodies and hit hits, can normally coexist. With their unique styles in the subjects they cover and their stage presence, they achieve success with music lovers.
7. Kenny Haiti
Kenny Sinvil, aka Kenny Haiti, with his latest album Time to Shine, is showing all his talent. It managed to find a place in the top 10 of the most listened to Caribbean songs on the Audiomack platform. His latest hit, with a not very enigmatic message, Kle Kou, talking about sex while satisfying all fantasies, reached 8th position. He stood out among the Haitian artists we sing about and want to see on stage.
A milestone in his career is his collaboration in 2017 with Roody Roodboy on the song Paka Ranplase w. Although short-lived, this experience allowed him to make himself known. Today, Kenny Haiti is recognized as one of the rising stars of Haitian music, bringing a breath of freshness and daring to the local music industry.
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